10 Things to Know about Leading Young Adults

September 3, 2009

I recently did a breakout session at the Connect Conference in Charleston, SC (you can register here for the Shreveport, LA venue on September 24th and 25th). In preparing for the event, I looked over previous research, added a few anecdotal observations, and developed ten critical issues in leading young adults. 1. They desire integrity among leaders. Our research has shown that young adults don’t drop out of the church because of large-scale moral failures of leadership. But they’ve seen enough Read more [...]

What We're Getting Into

August 26, 2009

In any transition, you never fully realize what you’re getting into until you’re there. This principle is especially true of senior and lead pastors moving from one ministry to another. Leaders face more scrutiny in transitions than others. Spiritual leaders can be placed under a microscope. I know that I’m going to a great church – I can’t wait to be on the field in Murray. When I worked with church leaders on a pastor-church covenant, I encountered yet another reason to be thankful for Read more [...]

A New Season of Ministry

August 23, 2009

Transitions are bittersweet – this one is no exception. I’m overjoyed to announce that Erin and I have accepted the call to First Baptist Church Murray, KY. I was saddened to announce today my resignation at Sarasota Baptist Church. I will miss the Ranchers in Sarasota, but I can’t wait to be on the field in Murray. I could not have asked for finer ministry partners at the Lakewood Ranch campus – I do not know of a more unified congregation. I leave one great congregation for another – Read more [...]

How Youth Grow Spiritually Across the Globe

August 19, 2009

The Search Institute recently released a first-of-its-kind global study on the spiritual development of young people from different countries and across various traditions. From 2006-2008, they studied more than 7,000 youth between the ages of 12 and 25. These youth lived in 17 countries on 6 continents, so this study is a true global snapshot. They’ve published loads of data, and the entire report can be viewed here. The report is large in scope and diversity, but I’ve listed below a few Read more [...]

See You in San Diego at the NOC!

August 18, 2009

The NOC09 is just around the corner – November 4-6 in sunny San Diego. I’ll be speaking on why young adults leave the church, and how they can be reclaimed. There’s a ton offered at the conference. Here’s a selection from the NOC website: 50 power-packed workshops with the nation's leading voices on outreach. 4 Inspiring General Sessions - with powerful worship, true outreach stories and messages from key note speakers passionate to reach more for Christ. 120+ resource providers - Read more [...]

A Big Draw for First-Time Guests: Ministry to the Poor

August 15, 2009

LifeWay Research recently published in their newsletter a new study about ministry to the poor. Obviously, the church should serve the poor and reach out to the hurting. What this study reveals is that churches remaining obedient to Christ’s example of serving the poor are also more likely to attract guests. This research blurb comes from their findings: Americans indicate that an active ministry to the poor is more likely to draw them to a church than knowing that it is made up of predominantly Read more [...]

Faith and Facebook

August 10, 2009

The September/October edition of Outreach Magazine features several articles on finding and keeping the next generation. It’s a great issue, so you’ll want to pick one up. You can subscribe to the print edition here. Below is my column in the issue on this generation. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, leading management consultant Gary Hamel dubs young people “Generation F”—the Facebook Generation. Sure, segments of every age group are jumping on the twit-text-book-space bandwagon. Read more [...]

Volunteering: The Growing Front Door to the Church

August 6, 2009

There are many bright spots, but in general, local church impact in the community has waned in the past several decades. Some have quantified spiritual success exclusively with numerical growth without regard to local impact. Others have simply ignored obvious numerical declines. God measures obedience. A great opportunity exists for the church to regain its status as the locus of community. A new study by the Corporation for National and Community Service reveals a strong link between community Read more [...]

Faith Changes in the African-American Community

August 2, 2009

The Barna Group recently released research on the religious beliefs and behaviors of African Americans. Good religious research on minorities is less prevalent, so this study is a welcome one. Regarding statements about faith, African Americans had the highest responses with eight out of nine statements when compared with whites, Hispanics, and Asians. Below is a comparison of answers between blacks and whites: the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches 66% (Black) 46% Read more [...]

Reach and Keep Young Adults

July 30, 2009

I’m excited to be a part of the Connect Conferences occurring this fall around the country. Jason Hayes, Ed Stetzer, my old man, and I will be speaking at the majority of the venues. Michael Kelley, Mark Batterson, and others will also join us at a few stops. The Connect Conferences provide an intimate opportunity for focused discussions about reaching and keeping young adults. Click here to register or learn more about these events. Atlanta, GA – August 13-14, 2009 Nashville, TN – August Read more [...]